Discover Your Library! - Click here to find out more
Art For Loan is a collection of paintings by local artists. These beautiful pieces can be borrowed to enjoy in your home or office.
Books & Books on Tape & on CD provide information, music, motivational materials, novels, and foreign language instruction in traditional and contemporary formats.
Book Clubs - Check out the book clubs offered at our different branches and find one that fits you. Check out our Book Club page.
Children are some of our favorite people! From picture books to young adult selections, there’s something for every reading level. Storytimes are scheduled weekly in each of our branches along with a variety of programs to capture every imagination. The Summer Reading Program encourages reading throughout the summer in an atmosphere of fun and achievement. We have dedicated a portion of our website to children called Kid’s Zone. Sound Your Voice is designed especially for young adults.
Computers - Each branch of the library system has computers for patron internet access, and limited wireless access in some branches. The library also offers hands-on computer classes including various software titles, Internet, and email throughout the county. Check with your local branch for dates.
Downloadable Audiobooks - This new format is a welcome addition to the traditional books here at MCLS. The audiobooks are available 24 hours, 7 days a week from our website with no waiting.
Fax Services - Monroe County Library System provides a fax service to the public at all branch libraries. The Library will also receive documents via fax for individuals. Please call your local branch for more information.
Fine Thing to Do - Now it's Fine Friendly First Friday EVERY DAY!
You can return overdue materials and pay only $1 any day of the week our branches are open. Proceeds, up to one thousand dollars, will go to a different charity each month.
Branch Locations & Hours
Friends of the Library provide an opportunity to get involved in local branch activities. Friends sponsor book sales, programming and events designed to support and enhance library service to the community. Visit our friends page for a printable membership application.
Genealogy materials lighten the load of research and include census records from counties in Michigan as well as Ohio. The print collection is primarily located at the Ellis Reference and Information Center or visit the online genealogy section.
Interlibrary Loan is the process we use to borrow materials for you that we don’t own. We go to libraries throughout the country or the world to get what you need. Contact your branch or use our online request form.
Large Print Books are ideal for those who find regular size print difficult to read. Books on a variety of subjects as well as leisure reading are available in large print.
Magazines for all interests can be enjoyed at the library. Broader access is available via the Internet at our Online Resources section.
Newspapers of local and national interest arrive at our doorstep daily. Back issues of local newspapers can be found in our microfilm collections located at the Ellis and Bedford branches.
Photocopies can be made at all branch libraries. Some machines have reduction and enlargement capabilities. Color copies are available at Bedford, Dorsch, and Ellis branch libraries.
Programs - We provide a wide range of programs on a variety of topics for everyone from children to adults in all MCLS branches. Interested in a particular topic? Talk to your branch librarian and see if it can be arranged. You’ll be amazed at the subjects we’ve covered! See our Library Events Calendar for all of the programs offered at all of our branches.
Recycle your old cell phones and ink cartridges through the library's fundraising program. We have postage paid recycling envelopes available at all branches. They are barcoded to our library and can be sent in from all over the United States, therefore the envelopes can be given out to family and friends from out of state. We can't accept accessories such as chargers, cases or extra batteries.
Reference Services - Help for a science fair project, a doctoral dissertation, and everything in between is provided at all branch libraries. For more in-depth research, the team of reference librarians at the Ellis Reference and Information Center and the Bedford Branch Library use traditional reference materials as well as the World Wide Web to help answer questions that are important to you. Contact the reference staff by phone, email, or in person.
Self Check-out - Experience the freedom of being able to check out your own library books. This simple to use system makes visiting the library more convenient than ever. Click here for a printable brochure. Self checkout is available at the Ellis Reference and Information Center, Bedford, Carleton, Dorsch, and Frenchtown-Dixie branch libraries.
Senior Services are provided to residents of senior housing, senior activity centers, and nursing homes throughout the county. These services include large and regular print book deposits as well as talking books. Our Senior Source page describes all of these services in detail. The “Library in Motion”, Senior Services van travels to several locations throughout Monroe County offering a mobile collection for individual check out.
Special Collections include the George Armstrong Custer Collection, Federal & State Government Documents, a local history and Michigan collection, and a genealogy collection.
Tax Forms - Federal and State tax forms can be found in all branches of the library, or you can download the forms you need by clicking here.
TDD and CCTV - Telephone services for the deaf allow easy communication with branches and CCTVs provide help for the visually impaired. TDDs and CCTVs are available at the Bedford Branch, Dorsch Memorial Branch, and the Ellis Reference & Information Center.
Techweb - Check out the MCLS Techweb. This site is dedicated to helping people with their technical issues.
Videotapes & DVDs ranging from “how to’s” to the latest feature films, are available at all branches of the Monroe County Library System. “Described videos” assist those with low vision to hear a description of scenes and action to better enjoy the film. As with all our services, VHS videos and DVDs are free of charge.
Wireless Internet Access - MCLS is pleased to be able to offer patrons wireless access within defined areas of the Ellis Reference & Information Center and the Bedford Branch Library. For printable instructions and guidelines on how to set up your laptop go to click here.
